Antonia

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Tender fronds unfurl in a luminous, pale-green rosette with a crisp, feathered bite and a pleasantly mellow, lightly nutty flavor.

Antonia’s compact heads develop quickly—about 55 days—staying crisp and well-formed for standout freshness in the garden. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, its delicate texture shines when served straight or folded into refined greens blends and dressings.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Antonia frisée is built for crunch: its lightly nutty, mellow bitterness stays crisp instead of collapsing, even when dressed. Use it as the star—shave or tear, hit it with sharp fat (olive oil) and tang (lemon or sherry vinegar), and let that feathered bite do the talking.

Best Uses

fresh salads where it can stay upright and crunchy
shaved or torn frisee as an elegant salad base for simple vinaigrettes
folding into warm-but-not-hot sides (think gently tossed pasta or potatoes) to keep the bite
garnish for composed plates where the pale rosette looks as good as it eats

Flavor Profile

crisp, feathery snap mellow lightly nutty bitterness clean, cool green bitterness without harshness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil anchovy gruyère poached eggs sherry vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Antonia often gets powdery white patches on leaves—what pest/disease is it and what should I do?

That white coating is usually powdery mildew, which thrives in warm, dry conditions with poor air circulation. Remove the worst affected leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and space plants so leaves dry quickly; for home control, spray a labeled potassium bicarbonate or sulfur product, following the label and avoiding applications in very hot weather.

How often should I water Antonia during peak growth so the soil stays right?

During the main growing period, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 waterings depending on heat and soil texture. Water when the surface starts to dry, but don’t let the soil fully dry out or stay soggy, since inconsistent moisture can slow growth and reduce yield.

How can I tell when Antonia is ready to harvest at about 55 days?

Harvest when plants have formed fully sized, firm produce and the color is fully developed for the variety—avoid waiting until it looks overgrown or begins to soften. If you gently press, it should feel firm with no mushiness, and harvested pieces should be easy to detach without tearing the plant.